Born at Bariestown (Waterford), Ireland, on 12 January 1841
Took the habit in Sicklinghall on 7 December 1857
Oblation in Sicklinghall on 31 May 1859 (No. 485)
Priestly ordination in Inchicore on 15 January 1865
Died in Sandhurst, Australia, on 1 January 1903

Nicholas Crane was born in Bariestown in the diocese of Ferns, on 12 January 1841. He began his novitiate in Sicklinghall on 7 December 1857 and he made his oblation there on 31 May 1859. He then spent some time in Inchicore before studying theology in Montolivet in 1860-1861. Father Mouchette, scholasticate formator, found him to be “a good religious, full of goodwill, timid, but with health compromised to the point that the doctor will give no reassurances.” The brother went on with his scholasticate in Sicklinghall from 1862-1865. His name appears only twice in Father Arnoux’ reports to Father Fabre. On 7 August 1862 he wrote: “Brother N. Crane is certainly regular but a trifle haughty and touchy when contradicted. Apart from this, he is good natured. I hope that his chest will soon be wholly cured. He has excellent talents and did really well in his studies this year. He is 21 years old.”

On account of his state of health, he was ordained only on 15 January 1865 by Bishop O’Connor OSA in Inchicore. He ministered in Tower Hill in 1865-1866, in Sicklinghall 1866-1867, in the United States 1867-1868, and was then named superior in Inchicore in 1868. In 1876, from Tower Hill, he was sent to Australia to “quest for funds”. He was thus the first Oblate to go to Australia. He was probably chosen because his health required a hot dry climate and because his brother, Martin Crane, an Augustinian, was bishop of Sandhurst from 1874. Returning about 1882 his name appears in the personnel of Belmont |House in 1884 and Inchicore in 1887. He went again to Australia in 1887-1888 and seems to have stayed there although his name appears in the Inchicore personnel in 1889 and 1895. He is certainly in Australia after that date, always for the purpose of collecting funds and to help his brother who had gone blind. The latter died in 1901 and Father Nicholas himself died on 1 January 1903 following a heart complaint. The author of his short obituary notice wrote: “During his stay in Sandhurst, he made many faithful friends who always held him in high esteem and remained attached to him until the end. His good and likeable nature and his simple and affable ways gained him many sympathies, among all classes of people. He was a model priest whose friendship everyone was honoured to enjoy. Thus one can say that he has been universally regretted.”

Yvon Beaudoin
and Michael Hughes, o.m.i.